Cessna 414 Plane Broke Apart on its Descent

The plane crashed on Sunday, Feb. 3, at around 1:45 pm. The
1981 Cessna 414, piloted by Antonio Pastini, took off at 1:35 pm and flew
approximately 10 miles up to around 7,800 feet before plunging out of the
clouds to the ground below. Witnesses reported that the aircraft was in one
piece when it began its descent, but the tail and wings broke off as it
careened down. They also told investigators the plane was on fire before it
crashed into the house.

Pastini was the only person on the plane; the other four
victims were all in the home and died in the resulting fire. Officials
identified the four victims on the ground as:

At least four homes in the Yorba Linda neighborhood were
damaged by debris, including a nearby house that was hit by the Cessna's engine
and propeller. Investigators said the debris covered approximately four blocks,
which is consistent with the debris field created when an aircraft breaks apart
while in flight, although much of the fuselage landed at the foot of an
embankment near the crash site.

Witness: Yorba Linda Plane Crash "Sounded Like a
Missile"

With many people in the neighborhood preparing for the Super
Bowl, numerous witnesses saw or heard the plane crash. Shawn Winch said the
plane sounded like a missile was coming toward his home and then he heard an
explosion. He and several neighbors ran to the house to help but could not get
in to rescue victims.

"Stuff was blowing up in
the garage," Winch said. "It was pretty scary. It's something you
never think would happen. … There was a lot of crying, a lot of screaming (in
the neighborhood). There were also people trying to run … in to help, but it
was too late."

Victims' Family Releases Statement about Plane Crash on
Crestknoll Drive

Following the crash, the family of the four victims in the
home released a statement thanking the first responders and neighbors who did
what they could to assist. They also thanked their friends and family for their
support.

"We are devastated by
our loss of our family members who will be greatly missed," the statement
reads. "Our family bond is tight and each member lost in this tragedy
represents more than just one role within our family. We lost parents,
grandparents, great-parents, spouses, sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles. The
home lost was a beacon for so many family and friends where many celebrations
were held."

The men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department extend our deepest condolences to the Anderson, Leber, and Elliott families. A statement from the families of the victims is below. pic.twitter.com/YzyJSw4SdF

Mystery Surrounds Cessna 414 Pilot

Based on what officials believed was a Chicago Police
Department badge and retirement papers found among the debris, authorities
initially said Pastini was a retired police officer. The Chicago Police
Department, however, reached out to investigators and informed them that the
credentials appeared fake and they had no record of Pastini in their records.
Although Pastini previously went by a different name—Jordan Isaacson—Chicago
Police said that name was not in their records, either.

According to the Orange County Register, in 2008 Pastini
told a reporter for the Nevada Appeal that he spent 21 years with the Chicago
Police Department before retiring to open restaurants. Officials do not know
why Pastini had the apparently false credentials.

Investigators Looking into What Caused Super Bowl Sunday
Plane Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is
investigating what
caused the aircraft to break up midflight. They will examine the plane's
maintenance history, structural integrity and the weather to see if any of
those might have been a factor in the crash. Authorities said the plane did not
issue a distress call before it crashed and they are not sure whether Pastini
tried to make an emergency landing.

Authorities ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has come
across debris to email witness@ntsb.gov
or call 714-647-7000.

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